Foldable cool pack in refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A foldable cool pack offering an enlarged contact area with an item therein. The foldable cool pack comprises two or more segments hingedly coupled together. The foldable cool pack can be folded and thus adapted to the geometry to a stored item so as to achieve an increased surface contact with the stored item. As a result, the heat transfer between the foldable cool pack and the stored item is enhanced and evenly distributed. Further, an item stored in the cool pack can be effectively isolated from the ambient air as well as from other stored items.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0136847, filed on Oct. 10, 2014, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to refrigerators, and more specifically, to cool packs in refrigerators.

BACKGROUND

In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus used to keep food cold or frozen by circulating refrigerant in a cooling cycle. A cooling system is typically installed at the rear side of a freezing chamber in a refrigerator. Cold air is generated and circulated within the refrigerator by a fan, thereby maintaining the refrigerator interior at a low temperature.

The refrigerator has a storage chamber for storing food and other items. The storage chamber may be divided into a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, which are maintained at different temperature ranges.

Some refrigerators include a cool pack used to keep the items stored therein cold for an extended time even when the refrigerator cooling system stops functioning, e.g., during a power outage.

Conventionally, a cool pack typically has a rigid surface through which heat is conducted away from stored items. The cool pack typically has a shape of a flat box or panel. Unfortunately, the contact area between the cool pack and a stored item is limited, leading to inefficient heat transfer and ineffective isolation of the item from the surrounding environment which usually has a higher temperature than the cool pack. Thus, when a cool pack is used, it usually takes a long time to lower the temperature of an item and the cool pack can only keep a cold item cool for a short time.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a foldable cool pack which can be used to separate an item stored in a refrigerator from other items in the refrigerator, and thereby effectively maintain the item at a low temperature.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a foldable cool pack including: a first segment; a second segment which is disposed at one side of the first segment; and a hinge unit which is disposed between the first segment and the second segment. The hinge unit hingedly couples the first segment and the second segment so that the second segment is rotatable relative to the first segment.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including: a storage chamber which stores a food item in a cool state or in a frozen state; a shelf coupled to a wall of the storage chamber; and a foldable cool pack. The foldable cool pack includes: a first segment; a second segment which is disposed on one side of the first segment; and a hinge unit which hingedly couples the first segment and the second segment together. The positioning angle between the two segments can be adjusted via the hinge unit.

The second segment may be formed to have at least two sub-segments that are hingedly coupled together. The hinge may have a plurality of gear teeth operable to adjust an angle between the two sub-segments.

A depressed region may be formed on the surface of the first segment or the second segment.

The foldable cool pack may further include a clip unit disposed on the second segment and used to fix a memo paper or alike. The clip unit may be disposed at any position relative to the hinge unit.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of using a foldable cool pack. The method includes: disposing an item on the first segment of the foldable cool pack for storage; folding the second segment relative to the first segment via a hinge unit between the second segment to form a contact between the second segment and the item; and placing the foldable cool pack in a refrigerator.

Advantageously, the foldable cool pack according to the present disclosure can surround an item with an enlarged contact area, thereby effectively isolating the item from other items and ambient environment and maintaining the item at a low temperature.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary foldable cool pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates various operational states of an exemplary foldable cool pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates configurations of exemplary second segments including a clip unit according to embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary foldable cool packs in use and enclosed in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary foldable cool pack 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a refrigerator 100 including the foldable cool pack 200 are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable cool pack 200 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first segment 210, a second segment 220, and a hinge unit 230.

Both the first segment 210 and the second segment 220 may have a shape of a near-flat panel. The exterior of the segments is made of rigid or near rigid materials.

Both the first segment 210 and the second segment 220 are filled with a cold storage material. It will be appreciated that any suitable cold storage material that is well known in the art can be used to practice the present disclosure.

In this example, the second segment 220 is coupled to one side of the first segment 210.

The first segment 210 is disposed on a shelf or at the bottom of a storage chamber, e.g., a freezing chamber or a refrigerating chamber. In the illustrated state, the second segment 220 is positioned perpendicular to the first segment 210. For instance, the second segment 220 may be placed against an interior wall of the storage chamber.

The first segment 210 and the second segment 220 may have the same or different sizes and/or shapes. An external item can be placed between, and in contact with, both the first segment 210 and the second segment 220 for storage at a low temperature.

The hinge unit 230 is disposed between the first segment 210 and the second segment 220.

The hinge unit 230 hingedly couples the first segment 210 and the second segment 220 together and enables the second segment 220 to rotate relative to the first segment 210.

The hinge unit 230 may have gear teeth which can restrict the rotation of the second segment 220 to a certain angle range and by a certain rotation step.

With the aforementioned configuration, an item placed in the foldable cool pack makes contact with the cool surfaces of both segments. Thus, the contact area for heat transfer is advantageously enlarged, compared to the contact area provided by an unfoldable cool pack according to the prior art. The enlarged contact area efficiently cools the storage item and effectively thermally isolates it from the ambient environment as well as other items stored in the refrigerator.

The second segment 220 may include two or more sub-segments which can be bent relative to each other through the hinges installed in between.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second segment 220 is composed of a plurality of sub-segments and hinges 225 disposed in between.

The number of hinges 225 may be related to the dimension of the second segment 220 and the rotation range of the second segment 220.

The hinges 225 may have gear teeth which can be used to adjust the rotation angles of the sub-segments.

The number of gear teeth included on hinge 225 may be dictated by the designed rotational range of the second segment 220.

A depressed region may be formed on the surfaces of the first segment 210 and/or the second segment 220.

The depressed region 212 may be concave in shape, which advantageously provides a conformal and increased surface area for contact with a stored item that has a curved surface, such as a bottle. Accordingly, the item can be securely positioned on the first segment 210.

That is, when an item having a curved outer surface is positioned on the depressed region 212, such as a beverage bottle, the item can be securely retained by the depressed region without unwanted motions, such as sliding or rolling. Also, a large portion or the entire surface of the beverage bottle may be effectively surrounded by the foldable cool pack, thereby providing an increased contact area for heat transfer between the item and the cool pack.

A process of using the foldable cool pack 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a user can rotate the second segment 220 relative to the first segment 210 via the hinge unit 230 in clock-wise or counter-clock-wise directions. Thus the storage space in between the segment can be adjusted.

For example, if an item having a small size is to be stored in the cool pack 200, the user can rotate the second segment 220 toward the first segment 210 until both segments are in contact with the item. For a large size item, the user rotates the second segment 220 away from the first segment 210 to adjust the space in between the segments so that the item can fit in.

For an item having a curved surface, the second segment 220 can be rotated relative to the first segment 210 to a position such that both segments make contact with the item. Further, its sub-segments can be rotated relative to each other to further enlarge the contact surface area with the item's curved surface.

Thus a stored item can be contained by the foldable cool pack even if the item has a curved or other shape, which advantageously enhances the heat transfer efficiency and uniformity between the item and the cool pack.

With the configuration that the second segment 220 includes foldable sub-segments, a stored item may be effectively isolated from the ambient air as well as other items present in the storage room.

Further, the depressed region 212 of the first segment 210 can effectively restrict or prevent unwanted motion (e.g., sliding and rolling) of an item disposed therein. This is especially useful for storing items having a curved shaped (e.g., beverage bottle) and maintaining a low temperature of the item.

It will be appreciated that a foldable cool pack according to the present disclosure may include various other components or functions that are well known in the art.

FIG. 3 illustrates different designs of a second segment of an exemplary foldable cool pack which includes a clip unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the foldable cool pack 200 includes a clip unit 240 disposed on a surface of the second segment 220. The clip unit 240 may be disposed on an outer surface of the foldable cool pack 200 so that it is visible to users, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The clip unit 240 can be used to hold a memo paper or other external object, for instance which can bear any written information related to an item stored therein. The clip unit 240 includes a fixed end coupled to the surface of the second segment 220, and an open end which can be temporarily lifted up by a user and to hold an external object (e.g., a memo paper or a like) against the second segment 220 when it is released.

Here, the clip unit 240 may be disposed on one side of the second segment 220 and away from the hinge unit 230, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C. The open end may point to an upper side (FIG. 3A), a lateral side (FIG. 3B), or a lower side (FIG. 3C) of the second segment 220.

In other embodiments, the clip unit 240 may be disposed on the other surface of the second segment 220 and to face the first segment 210. Further, two or more clip units 240 may be disposed, or the clip unit 240 may be coupled to the foldable cool pack permanently or detachably.

Hereinafter, an exemplary refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The refrigerator 100 includes an aforementioned foldable cool pack 200 that can be placed in a storage chamber 120 or on a shelf 110 of the refrigerator 100.

The storage chamber 120 has a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber which are maintained at different temperature ranges.

The shelf 110 is detachably coupled to the walls of the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber. The shelf 110 may can be used to support items stored in the refrigerator 100, such as food items.

The foldable cool pack 200 is positioned on the shelf 110 in the storage chamber 120.

More specifically, the first segment 210 of the foldable cool pack 200 lies on the shelf 110, and the second segment 220 may be positioned adjacent to, or against, a wall of the storage chamber 120.

Therefore, a user can conveniently place one or more items in the foldable cool pack 200 for storage.

That is, even though multiple food items are stacked on the shelf 110 in the refrigerator 100, the items can be advantageously and effectively separated and stored in the foldable cool pack 200. The temperature of the various food items may be effectively maintained regardless of the various shapes of the items.

According to the present disclosure, the foldable cool pack 200 can be configured to surround a stored item in an increased area, thereby effectively maintaining the temperature of the item.

The foldable cool pack 200 may effectively separate and accommodate the items that are accommodated or stored in the storage chamber 120.

An exemplary method of using the foldable cool pack 200 will be described below.

First, the first segment 210 of the foldable cool pack 200 is disposed on the shelf 110 in the storage chamber 120 of the refrigerator 100.

A user places one or more items on the first segment 210. The second segment 220 is folded after the user rotates the sub-segments on the second segment 220 to approximately conform to the shape of the stored item. As such, the foldable cool pack can surround the item disposed on the first segment 210, and the items are stored in the refrigerator.

Here, the depressed region 212 is concave-shaped and formed on a surface of the first segment 210. An item may be disposed on the depressed region 212 of the first segment 210.

The second foldable portion 220 may further include the clip unit 240 that is disposed on one surface. The clip unit 240 can be used to attach a memo paper or the like to the cool pack.

Reference has been made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure is described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings showing embodiments of the disclosure are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing Figures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for the ease of description generally show similar orientations, this depiction in the Figures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally, the disclosure can be operated in any orientation.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present disclosure, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “accessing” or “executing” or “storing” or “rendering” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories and other computer readable media into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or client devices. When a component appears in several embodiments, the use of the same reference numeral signifies that the component is the same component as illustrated in the original embodiment. Although certain preferred embodiments and methods have been disclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the rules and principles of applicable law. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable cool pack comprising: a first segment comprising a cold storage material; a second segment coupled to the first segment and comprising a cold storage material; and a first hinge unit coupled between the first segment and the second segment and configured to cause said first segment and said second segment to rotate relative to each other under an external force applied thereto.
 2. The foldable cool pack of claim 1, wherein the first hinge unit is configured to adjust a relative position between the second segment and the first segment.
 3. The foldable cool pack of claim 1, wherein the second segment comprises two sub-segments and a second hinge unit coupled between the two sub-segments, and wherein further the two sub-segments are configured to rotate relative to each other under an external force applied thereto.
 4. The foldable cool pack of claim 3, wherein the second hinge unit comprises a plurality of gear teeth operable to adjust an angle at which the second segment is folded.
 5. The foldable cool pack of claim 1, wherein one of the first segment and the second segment comprises a depressed surface region.
 6. The foldable cool pack of claim 1, further comprising a clip unit disposed on a surface of the second segment and operable to fasten an external object to the surface of the second segment.
 7. The foldable cool pack of claim 6, wherein the clip unit is disposed proximate to an edge of the second segment and away from the first hinge unit.
 8. A refrigerator comprising: a storage chamber; a shelf; and a foldable cool pack comprising: a first segment; a second segment coupled to one side of the first segment; and a hinge unit disposed between the first segment and the second segment, wherein the first segment and the second segment are configured to rotate relative to each other under an external force applied thereto.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 8, further comprising: a clip unit disposed on the second segment and operable to attach an external object to the second segment.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the hinge unit comprises a plurality of gear teeth operable to adjust an angle at which the second segment is folded relative to the first segment.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the second segment comprises at least two sub-segments, and further comprises another hinge unit disposed between the sub-segments, wherein the another hinge unit comprises a plurality of gear teeth operable to adjust an angle at which the two sub-segments are folded relative to each other.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the clip unit is disposed away from the hinge unit.
 13. A method of using a foldable cool pack, the method comprising: disposing an item on the first segment of the foldable cool pack for storage, wherein the foldable cool pack also comprises a second segments; folding the second segment relative to the first segment via a hinge unit disposed between the second segment to make contact between the second segment and the item; and placing the foldable cool pack in a refrigerator.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a depressed region is formed on the first segment, and wherein the disposing the item on the first segment comprises disposing the item on the depressed region of the first segment.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second segment further comprises a clip unit operable to fasten an external object to the second segment.
 16. The method of claim 13 further comprising additionally folding the second segments via hinge units coupled between sub-segments of the second segments to increase a contact area between the second segment and the item. 